| New Living Translation | International Standard Version |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job: | 1Zophar from Naamath had this to say: |
| 2“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking? | 2"Shouldn't a multitude of words be answered, or a person who talks too much be vindicated? |
| 3Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed? | 3Will your irrational babble silence people, and when you mock them, will you escape without being shamed? |
| 4You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’ | 4You've said, 'My teaching is flawless; I'm clean in God's sight.' |
| 5If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! | 5"But what if God were to speak? What if he were to talk with you, |
| 6If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom is not a simple matter. Listen! God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve! | 6and disclose his wise secrets? After all, there's so much more to understanding. So be aware that God will exact from you less than your sin deserves." |
| 7“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? | 7"Can you search through God's complex things? Can you uncover the limits of the Almighty? |
| 8Such knowledge is higher than the heavens— and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld — what do you know? | 8These things are higher than the heavens, so what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol, so what can you know? |
| 9It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea. | 9They are longer than the earth's circumference, and broader than the ocean. |
| 10If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? | 10"If he bypasses, or imprisons, or convenes a court, who can stop him? |
| 11For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. | 11For he knows mankind's deceitfulness; when he sees iniquity, won't he himself consider it? |
| 12An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child. | 12An empty-headed person will gain understanding when a wild donkey is born a human being!" |
| 13“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! | 13"Now for you, if you will prepare your heart, spread out your hands to him. |
| 14Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. | 14If you have any iniquity, throw it far away. Don't let evil live in your residence. |
| 15Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. | 15Then your confidence will be flawless, and your security will keep you from terror. |
| 16You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. | 16You'll forget your suffering; you'll remember it like water that has evaporated. |
| 17Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than noonday. Even its darkness will be like dawn. |
| 18Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. | 18You'll be secure, because there is hope; you'll see that you're at rest and safe. |
| 19You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. | 19When you sleep, there'll be nothing to fear; and many will court your favor. |
| 20But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.” | 20But what the wicked look for will fail; their way of escape will be taken away from them; their only hope is to take their final breath." |
| Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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